Machine for separating fibers from the pulp of plants and trees.



- f PATENTED 00T.15, 1907.

E. BEHRENDT. MEGHINE FOR SEPARATING FIBERS FROM THE'PULP 0F PLANTS AND TREES APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17. 1906.

3 QHEETS-BHEET 1.

. INVENTOR ZuywzeBe/zmzzdi' BY W r6 WITNESSES:

' A TTOHNEYS PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

ELBEHRENDT. MACHINE FOR SEPARATING FIBERS FROM THE PULP 0P PLANTS AND TREES.

APPLIOATIOH rnnn um. 11. 1906.

a sums-sum z.

. INVENTOFI lzge/zaBeAre/zdif BY Mar/K60 ATTORNEYS WITNESSES;

No 868,526. PATENTED 001115, 1907.

RBBHRBNDTL MAGEINE FOB. SEBARATING FIBERS FROM THE PULP 0F PLANTS AND TREES.

APPLIOATION 3mm um 1'1. 190a.

I llllllllllill-lh.

UNIT ED STATES.

PA-TEXT OFFIOE.

EUGENE BEHRENDT, OF MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, assieNos TO BEHRENDT & 00., OF

' NEW YORK, Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR SEPARATING FIBERS FROM THE PULP OF XLANTS AND TREES Iva 868,526.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Oct. 15, 1907.

"Application filed January 17, 1906. Serial No. 296,498-

To all whom mag concern:

.1 of the United-States, and a resident of Manila, Philip- .pine'Islands," have invented a new'and Improved Machine for Separating Fibers from theRulp of Plants and Trees, of which the following is a full clear, and

exact descriptiom The invention relates to" brakes. employed foi'fs'eparating fibers from the pulp of the bark or'leaf sheath: ofthetropiCaIlabacKMusa' textilis) and other plants and trees, especially such as the abaca ivhich yields,

.manilahemp' The object of the invention is to provide anew and improved machine for separating the fibeisfrom the pulp and other extraneous matter in. aver-y simple, effective and economic manner and; withi tut danger of injuryto the frber;

)The invention consists oii novel featurds and partsi and combinations of the same which will be morefully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the ams.

' A practical embodiment of ,the invention is repre sented in the accompanying drawings forming a part -of thisxspecification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts'in all the views. .Figure'l is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 2 is .a sectional perspective view'of part of the comb;- Fig.

. 3is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a; sectional side. elevation of part of the drawin'g' mechanismin 'an inactive positionfhig'. 6 is a cross section of the machine, showing more particu-' larly the draw headand connected parts; Fig. 6 is"a side elevation' oi the draw head disengaged from the driving chain; Fig. .7 is atransverse section of the machine; on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1; Fig. '8 is a transverse section of thesam e on the line 88 of Fig. l; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectionalperspective view' -of the materiaL-showing the-reduced clamping portion.

40 .The machine presently' tobe described in detailis designed for treating the leaf sheath or band-like material A strippedoff the abaca and like plants, the said leaf sheath material A- consisting of. lengthwise-ex- "tending fibers A (see Fig. 9) embedded in a sappy pulp Aiof a spongy character, and covered at one side ;hy a hard, tenacious'and" exceedingly 'smoothpcovering A With my machine the fibers A ar separated not- -only irom the pulp A' b ut also from the covering 'A,' 'and at the. same time the fibers are separated from each omen? The redu ced' end Aioi the material A is clamped in a draw head B; adapted to be moved lengthwise of the machine in the direction of the arrow a for initially drawing the material A successively through a strip-' 55. ping ,device 0, a combing device 'D, a second stripping I device E, and a cleaning and polishing device F, to Be'it known that I, EUGEiIE BE HRENDT, a citizen finally bring the fibers to a drawing mechanism Gr for 3 relieving the draw head B of its'drawing function and for engaging the fibers with a'view to draw the mate- 4 trial through the several devices 0, E and F. The several devices mentioned are mounted on a suitably-constructed frame H, in which is j'ournaled.a' transversely-extending main drivinggshait I, provided with a pulley I connected. by a. belt I with other ma- 'chinery for i 1nparting a. rotary motion to-the main driving shaft 1. on the latter is secureda' pinion I [in mesh-with a. gear' wheel I. secured on a- J- journailed; on; the rear portion Of-tlie main '-n, -tsd on this shaft J are secured sprocket wheels I connected,

' by sprocket cha'insJ with sprocket wheels J secured" 7 O on a transverse shaitJ journaled in bearingsJheld lengthwise adjustable on the sen; end'oithe'maiii' frame H, so as to give the desired tension to the sprocket chains J The-sprocket I? are adapted 'to be engaged by'hooksB heldk on the drawheadB, so'that-j'75' when the machine. is motiori athe hooks B'. oi- .the draw head-B areengaged WitIIIthe-Bpfocket P at the forwardknd oi the-machine, then the draw head B is bodily-carried along by the 'chainsgl? inthe direction oi the an'ow a,-.as previously mentioned; v p

The dr'aw'head B consists essentially of clamping jaws B? and B between which the reduged end A of the material A is clamped, the opposite faces of th saidjaws B andB he'ing preferablylcorrugated .1) roughened, to insure a secure grip of the-jaws onth material, as will be readily understood by. reference Fig. 3. The-jaws B 'and 13? are fastened to'gthes'b bolt B passing through 'thejaws and locked'inplace bypi l B passing through the upper ends of thebolts as indicated in Fig. 5. The jaw 13 'isprovided, at. ts" errds, i;vi th trunnions B mounted to travel on 1ong ra tudinally-exte'nding guideways H ioinied onithemain frame H, on the said tmiinions B are journaled." friction rollers B and thelidoks B, the-latter being preferably located betweenthe iriction .rollers B and collars-B formed onithe jaw B adjacent to the ends bi thejawB. V I The first stripping device C-consists essentially of two transversely-extendingstripping knives C and C in'cPlined in opposite directions and in the direction of the travel of the material A; the knife C being ad- 'justably secured to a cross bar K attached to the sides ofthe main s me H. The 'kuife o isadjustably Securedto a cross head L,"provided at its ends with friction rollers L and lugs L (see Figs. 1 and 7), the said friction rollers L and thelugs L, engaging verticallyfdisposed guideways H formed on the main frame H, so that the cross head L is free to slide up and down in the guideways 11 The downward movement of the '110 v pass between the knives G and C at the time the cross head L, and consequently that of the knife G is limited by set-screws L held on the main frame H and projecting into the guideways H for the lugs L to rest on, as indicated in Figs. 1 and'7. On the ends of the cross head L are also secured V-shaped cams L extending into the path of and adapted to be engaged by the friction rollers B of the draw head B, so that when the latter'is moved along in the direction of the arrow a, as previously explained: then the friction rollers engage the cams L thus lifting the cross head L and the knifeG to allow the draw head B-to knife C a'nd its cross head L are in a raised position. The cross head L and its knife. descends gradually on the rear faces of thecarns L tra'veling'down thefrictioniroliers B and after the draw headB has passed 'thecutting edges of the knives G and C", so that the cutting edge of the knife 0 passes down into the pulp I A? of the material A immediately in the rear of the advancing draw head B, it being understood that the inaterial now extends between the cutting edges of the knivesCand'Oj The comb D is formed'of comb plates D spaced apart by spacers D f'and a plurality of. such comb plates D and spacers D are soldered or otherwise fastened together to form comb sections, the several comb sections being supported on'a transverse bed D fastened by bolts D to brackets D mounte d to slide up and down in guideways if formed on age main frame H the lower ends of the brackets being supported on springs D held on the main frame H and serving to yieldingly support the comb D, the upward movement thereof being lim .ited by set-screws D engaging! projections H on the main m n, as plainly indicated in Fig. 7. When the several comb sections are position on the bed I) and the latter is bolted ontothe brackets D, then the projecting upper ends of the brackets securely clamp the comb sections in place. 011 looseningthe bolts D any one of the comb sections can be readily removed for repairs and then replaced, or a new one placed in the position of the oneremoved.,i Considerable time and expense is savysd arranging the comb D as described.

On the brackets D of thec'omb are formed cams D projecting'into the path of and adapted to be engaged by the friction rollers B of the draw head B, soltha-t when thelatter advances, the friction rollers engage the cams D thus forcing. the comb D downward against the tension of its springs Di 'to allow the draw head B to pass over the comb D without. injury to the sharp points. of

the comb plates D .When the friction rollers Bl leave the cams Di then the comb D is returned to its upper- I most position by the action of the springs D and the comb in doing so causes the points of its comb plates D to cut into the material from underneath, so as to slit the same on the material being drawn forward by the draw head B. By this arrangeirf-ent the material A is divided into narrow strips, each containing a few fibers one alongside the other.

. i The second stripping device E is similar to the first stripping device 0; that is, consists of a fixed knife E adj ustably secured to a cross bar N attached to the main frame H, anda knife E adjustably secured to a cross head N having friction rollers N and lugs N mounted to slide in vertical bearings'i'l formed on the main frame H. The downward sliding motion of the cross head N is limited by set-screws N (see Fig. 1) similar to the set-screws L previously mentioned and illus-. trated in Fig. 7. The cross head N is also provided with cams N similar to the cams L and likewise adapt.- ed to be engaged by the frictionrollers B of the draw head B, to lift the cross head N and the knife E for the passage of the cross head, the same as above described in reference to the first stripping device C.

The cleaning and polishing device F, located in the rear of the stripping device E, consists of a stripping knife F, similar to the stripping knives C and E and operating in conjunction with a block F ofrubber .or other elastic'material and attached to a cross bar 0 secured to the main frame H. The knife F is adjustably secured to a cross head 0 having,frict-ion rollers O and lugs O mounted to slide vertical guideways'l formed on the main frame H, and the downwardsliding movement of the cross head 0 is limited by setscrews 0 similar to the set'screws N and L previously mentioned. On the cross head O are secured cams 0 similar to the cams N and L and likewise projecting into the path of and adapted to be engaged by the friction rollers B of the draw head B, to lift the cross head 0 and its knife F, to permit the draw head B to pass between the block F and the cutting edge bf the Y The several cross heads L, N and O -are adapted to be weighted by suitable weights P, indicated in Fig. 7, so as to hold the knives C E and F with the desired force ,in engagement with the material drawn through the several devices 0, D, E and F. The main drawing mechanism G consists essentially of rubber covered driven rollers G and G arranged one alongside the other and operating in conjunction with a pressing roller G adapted to press, the fibers in peripheral contact with the upper peripheral surfaces of the driven rollers G and G", so that the rollersdraw the fibers forward, with a view (0' draw the material through the several devices'C, D, E and F after the draw head B has'passed the drawing mechanism G. The shafts G and G of the driven rollers G and G are journaled in suitable bearingsheld on the main frame H, and on the said shafts are securedpinions Q andQ. in mesh with a pinion Q" journaled on aj'stnti Q attached'to the main frame H, and .on the said pinion Q is secured a gear wheel Q .iumesh with the gear wheel I, previously referred to, so that when the machine'is in operation, a rotary motion is transmitted by the gearing shown and described to the rollers G and G to rotate the same in the direction of the arrows indicated in Figs. 1 and The shaft G: of the pressing roller G istjournaled in cam links R of a link frame R, and the said cam links R are cdnncctedby a transverse pivot rod R ith the lower ends of links B hung on a rod R journalecl in suitable bearings R vertically adjustable 'in guideways HT formed on thezmain frame H, the adand into'= the path (if the friction rollers BZoi the draw .head B, so that when the. latter is drawn forward and the friction rollers B come in contact with the cam It,

then the link frame 'R is swung rearwardly to the position showh in Fig. 4, so that the roller G is raised, to

allow the passage oithe draw head B. The links R are also.provided with rearwardly-extending cams R adapted to be engaged by the friction rollers B after ,the draw head B has passed the roller G, and.by the friction rollers B 'a-cting on the cams R the link frame..- R- isreturned to its normal position; that is, is swung forwardly to bring the roller G back into pressing posi- 1 tidn, .hat is, to press the fibers down onto the driven rollers G and.G

The gearing for 'driving the rollers G, and G2 is so arranged that the said rollers are driven at a higher peripheial speed than that of the chains J sotha't' projecting from the rear end of the main frame H. The

operator in charge of the machine now cuts the fibers close to the jawsBi and B of the draw head B, and then takes hold of the fibers with the hands, to gather the fibers as the same are drawn reaiwardly by the draw- -ing mechanism G. In the meantime the draw head B which dropped into the bearing S is removed by-another operator and the jaws thereof are opened, to allow removal of the reduced clamped portionand to permit plaging a reduced portion of a new bunch of material in position on the drawhead. This draw head isithen returned to the forward orbeginning end of the maallow the passa'ge of the draw head B over the said comb,

chine for treating the next bunch of material.

The operation is as follows: When the main shaft I is rotated, then a traveling motion is given to the chains J and a draw head B, with the end A} of the material A clamped therein is placed in position at the forward end oi the machine, and the hooks B of this draw head are drawn forward in engagement with links of the chains J so that the latter move'the draw headB" bodily forward. The draw head B, in moving forward, moves its friction rollers B in engagement with the cams L to raise the cross head L and the knife C for the passage of the draw head between the cutting edges of the knives C and C As soon as this has been done, the cross head L is returned so that the knife C'- cuts into the pulp of the material now extending between the knives C and Q As the material is drawn forward it is acted on'by both the stripping knives C and C so as toremove the main portion of the pulp A and the covering A of the material by stripping the same off opposite sides of the fibers A lying side by side, with some pulp material between. individual fibers, thus leaving a'band or web. On the further forward movement ofthe draw head B the comb D is depreses d, to

which, on returning, pierces, byth pjoints of its comb plates D, the band or web of fibers, to slit the band or web into verynarrow strips. f'lhe draw h a 11 in 65.,

meantime, causesa raising of the cross head. Nandithi tween the cutting edges of the stripping knives E and E the,eross head N and its knife E finally returning to lowermost position, so that the stripping knives E andfE act on the narrow strips to break up the same same time removing any woody portion or pulp whieh adheres to the separated fibers, loosened or broken up by the knives E and E The draw head B, in the meantime, has-raised the cross head 0 and its knife F to pass the same and to introduce the fibers between the knife F and the block F so that the fibers are suband loosen and 'separatethe individualfibers, at the strippin g knife E so that the draw head passes bejected to the action of this knife F and the block F and round the fibers. The draw head-B, in its further movement, causes 2. raising of the pressing roller G", as,

' head B is finally automaticallyreleased from the chains J, as previously explained, and the 'fibers are cut off close to the jaws of the draw headB, to allow removal of the latter and opening thereof, as previously explained. After the fibers are cut off at the draw head with a View to clean and polish and also to straighten previously described, for the-draw head B to pass bei to thoroughly clean and polish thesame. The draw B, the operator takes hold of the cut off ends of the mechanism G. I

terial A has been drawn through the machine, a second therein can be placed in position on the machine, to insure a successive operation on the materials without loss of time. I 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A machine for separating the fibers from the extraneous matter of plant or tree material, comprising means for separating the fibers and the extraineous'nmtter, a draw head for initially drawing the material through the said separating means, and a drawing mechanism f..r en gaging the fibers and relieving the said draw head of its drawing function.

2. A machine for separating the fibersfrom extraneous matter of plant or tree material, comprising; separating means for separating the fibers and the extraneous matter, a traveling draw head passing between the members of the said separating" means and drawing the material between the s: (1 members, and a drawing mechanism in the rear or: t e said separating means and between the (11 win; mechanism after the passage of the draw head engaging the fibers to draw the material through the saiddraw head to which one end of the material is fastened, the draw head being arranged for moving the said movable fliers, and a drawing nrechanism in the'rear of the said moved b fibers to gather the same as the latter leave the drawing From the foregoing iii-will be seen that aiter the mamernlzers (ii/which passes the said draw head, the said separating means and having.- a. member-capable of being ily by the said draw head to allow passage.o r,,

draw head with another bunch of niaterial clamped matter of plant or tree material, comprisingseparating meanshaving fixed and movable members, a traveling member to allow passage of the draw head between the inemliers and 'to pass the material between the said mem-.

.fibers to draw the means.

the draw head, the said drawingmechanism engaging the same through the said separating of the material is fastened, the draw head having means for bodily moving the movable memb'er's of the said separating devices to allow the draw head to pass between the fixedand movablepmembers and to allow the movable member to engage them'aterial after the passage of the draw head between the members of a separating device,

- and a drawing mechanism in the rear of.the said separating devices and havln'g-a bodily movable member adapted to be moved by the said means on the draw head to allow passage of the draw head; the said drawingmechanism engaging'the fibers between the draw head and the separatingdevices to draw thematerial through the separating devices.

. .5. A machine for separating the fibers from extranelus matter of plant-and tree material, comprising a plurality of separating devices, one in front of the -'other for successively acting on the material to separate the fibers from the'extraneous matter, each of the separating deviceshav .ing a fixed and a movable member capable of rising andv falling, a comb arranged between adjacent separating'dexvices for slitting themate'riai into strips, a traveling draw head in which' one end of the material is fastened, the

draw head having means for bodily moving the movable members of the saidseparating.devices to allow the draw head to pass between the fixed and movable members, and to allow the movable memberto engage the material after the passage of the draw head between the members of a separating device, and a drawing mechanism in the rear of the said separating devices andhavlng a bodily movable member adapted to be moved by the said means on the draw head toallow passage of-the draw head, the' said-drawing mechanismjengagingthe fibers between the draw head and the separating devices to draw the material through the separating devices and the said comb.

(i. A machine for separating the fibers from extraneous matter ofplant and tree material; comprising a plurality of separating devices, the in front' of the other for successiveiy acting on the material to separate the fibers from the extraneous matter, each of the separating devices having a hired and a movable member capable of rising and falling, a comb arranged between adjacent separating devlces for slitting the material into strips, the comb being spring-pressed and mountedto slide, a traveling draw head in which one end of the material is fastened, the' draw head having means for bodily moving the movablem'emhers of the said separating'devices to allow the draw head to pass between the fixed and movable members and to allow the movable member to engage the material after 'the passage. of the draw head between the members of a separating device, the said means on the draw he'ad en-' gaging and moving the said comb bodily .for the passage of the draw head, and a drawing mechanism in the rear of the said separating devices and having a bodily movable member adapted to be moved by the said means on the draw head to allowpassage of the draw head, the said drawing mechanism engaging the fibers between the draw head and the separating devices t0. draw the material' through the separating device: and the -said com'b'w I 7. A machine I01 separating the iibersfir m entrahequs matter of plant and tree material, provided witn'separ-atl'ng' means for separating the fibers from the extraneous mat 'tr, a drawing mechanism in therear of'the said separatmg means for engaging the fibers and drawing the matel-ial through the'said separating means the said drawing mechanism consistingof a pair of driven rollersand a pressing rol er adapted to press the fibers down onto the said'dri ven pliers, and a suspended link frame in which the said pressingroiler is journaied. I

SJA machine fort-separating; the fibers from extraneous matter of plant and treematerial, provided with separab.

'ing means' for separating the fibers from the extraneous matter, a traveling draw head'for initially drawing the material through the said separating meairfs, and a drawing mechanism havinga pair of driven roliers a pressing roller for pressing the fibers in"co nt'act with the driven rollers, and a suspended link frame-in which the pressing roller is journaled, the link frame being adapted .to be swung out of an active position by the said draw hed'djo allow passage thereof between the said driven rollers and the said pressing rollers.

9. A machine for separating the fibers from extraneous matter of plant-and tree material, provided with separating means for separating the fibers from the extraneous matter, a traveling draw head for initially drawing the material through the said separating means, and' a drawing mechanism having a pair of driven rollers, a pressing roller for pressing the fibers in contact with the driven rollers, and a suspendedlink frame in which the pressing roller is journaled, the said link .frame having camsfand 'the'saiddraw head having means for engaging the said cams to svwing the link frame into an inactive position for the passage of the draw head'betwee'n the driven roll ers and the pressing roller.

10. A machine for separating the fibers from extraneous matter of plant and tree material, provided with separating means for separating the fibers from the extraneous matter, a traveling draw' head for initially drawing the materiai through the said separating means, and a drawing. mechanism having a pair of driven rollers, a pressing roller for pressing the fibers in contact with the driven rollers, and a suspended link frame in which the pressing roller isjOurnaIed, the-said link frame having cams, and

cams to swing'the l ink frame into an inactive position for the passage of the draw head between the driven rollers and the pressing roller, the said cams having rearward ex-' tensions for engagement by the said draw head means for returning the link frame and its pressing roller to active position.

'11. A machine for ing means for separating the fibers from the extraneous matter, a traveling draw head for initially drawing the mechanism having a pair of driven rollers, a pressing roller for pressing the fibers in contact with the driven rollers, and 21V suspended link frame in which the pressing roller is j'ourualedl tlie saidlink frame having cams, and the said .draw head having means for engaging the said cams to swing the link frame into an inactive/position for the passage of the draw head between the driven rollers and the for engagement by the said draw head means for returning the link frame and itspressing roiier to. active position, means for, driving the said driven rollers, and means for .impa-rtin'g atraveling motion tothe said draw head for the latter to travel at less speed than that given to the fibers ,by the said .driven rollers and pressing roller. 12. A machine for separating the fibers. from extraneous matter of plant and tree material, provided with a separating device having a fixed stripping knife, a movable strip ping knife operating in conjunction with the said fixed stripping knife, aweighted slide carrying the said movable knife, a cam on thesaid slide, a traveling draw head'halt ing friction rollers for engagingthe'said cam'to raiseithe slide and itsknife for the passage of the draw head between the said knives, and adjustable stops for limiting the return movement of ,the said slide.

J3. A machinelfor;separtingthe fibers from extraneous matter of plant and tree material, provided with a comb for yieldingly supporting the saidframe.

. matter offplant and tree material, provided with a comb having-a frame'mounted-to slide up and down, springs for yieldingly supporting 'the'said-frai'ne, cams on the said frame, and .a traveling draw head having friction roller: forengaging the said cams to move the 'comb out of th path of the draw head; i

7 {'15. A'machine for separating thefibers from extraneous the said draw head having means for engaging the said I separating the fibers from extraneous. matter of plant and tree material, provided with separatmaterial through the said separating means, a drawing pressing roller, the said cams having rearward extensions having-a frame mounted toslide ,up and down, and springs} 14. machine for separating'the fibers from extraneous matter of plant and tree material, provided with a comb 7 comprising a frame, teeth sections held on the frame and each having plates, spacing blocks between the plates, and means for securing the blocks and plates together for each section.

16. A machine forseparating the fibers from extraneous matter of vplant and tree material, provided with endless traveling chains, sprocket wheels over which pass the chains, and a draw head having hooks adapted to hook into links of the chains and adapted to -be disengaged therefrom by teeth on the said sprocket wheels.

17. -A machine for separatingfibers from-the extraneous matter of plants and tree material, provided with separat ing means for separating the fibers from the' ertraneous matter, and a drawing mechanism in rear of the separating means and comprising a pair of driven rollers, a frame. a pressing roller mounted in the' frame, and adjustably supported links pivotally connected with the said frame.

18. 'A- machine for separating fibers from the extraneous matter of plants and tree material, provided with separating means for separating the fibers from-.th'e extraneous matter, and a drawing mechanism in rear of the separat-.

ing means, said drawing mechanism comprising a pair of driven ollers, a cam frame, a pressing roller niounted in 'the cam frame, an adjustably supported rod, links carried by the rod, and a pivot rod connecting the links with the said frame 15). In a ma'chine'for separating fibers from the extraneous matterv of plant and tree material, a supporting frame having'vertical guideways, 1a fixed stripping knife, a movable stripping knife, a weighted slide carrying the movable Y knife, said slide having rollers and lugs at its ends working in the .guideways and V-sh'aped cams, screws projecting into the -guidewa ys to be engaged by said lugs, and a trav- 

